I’m often asked which “smart drugs” I use to improve mental performance and productivity.
I’ve tried everything imaginable, whether over-the-counter, prescription, or otherwise. For 90% of the options, the short-term benefits are not worth the long-term side-effects.
This video describes a few options that I’ve found to be sustainable and reliably effective. Note that I will still “cycle” off of these at least one week out of every eight weeks.
Enjoy!
The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than 900 million downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.
Awesome vid Tim! Thanks!
Hi Tim, I am wondering if you can link to your BHB and other exogenous ketons in the nalgene bottles. Thank you. Great post as always!
Love the video Tim, particularly the details about yerba mate and how you prefer consuming it. I am curious if you have looked into the yerba mate and cancer studies and if that affects your consumption at all.
Amen! I used to drink Mate all the time when I had to give up coffee. However my nutritionist then told me about the cancer links. Would love to get back on it for the caffeine boost but wonder about the long term effects. Would love your insights Tim given that you’re very vigilant about preventing cancer.
Are you crazy? In Brazil there is 110 year people that drinks Chimarrão (Erva Mate in portuguese or Yerba Mate in spanish) 3 times a day. Including my family.
They take Chimarrão in the 3 southern states in Brazil, where I live, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina.
Google Chimarrão and see for yourself.
Pro-tip: Suaréz and Messi are always drink theirs in Barcelona travels.
Hey, about the cancer, as far as I know it is related to the water temperature. Studies have shown that some people like it really hot and THAT is the problem.
I live in the south of Brazil where this drink is integral part of our culture for generations.
Some of us drink it practically everyday our whole life, you see.
I believe that if it was to cause cancer, we would know, right? I don’t know anybody that had this problem.
But then, I’m not a Doctor, just a consumer.
Great video – keep the Keto / exogenous ketone conversations, tips and research coming!
Tim thanks so much for the video. I’ll be looking in to everything here. I’ve been on the Ketogenic diet for a few weeks and am AMAZED at how different and better I feel cognitively. I used to have large spikes and drops in energy and mood that are seemingly non-existent on the ketogenic diet. It’s a lifesaver. I do have one problem though. I can’t seem to get very high concentrations of ketones. I always measure at the moderate level. The one time I did get high measurements was after ingesting ALOT of MCT oil (so much so that I spent the day in the little boys room). With this is mind is it most likely not enough fat consumption? Too much protein (trying to build Muscle as well)? Or lastly, could it be intensity of workouts not high enough to deplete glycogen levels (they’re more yoga and gymnastics based right now rebuilding mobility)? Thanks so much for what you do and how you present it; you’re an inspiration.
I’ve found that http://www.Examine.com is great for seeing the existing research on supplements. They do independent, unbiased research on nutrition and supplements.
Hopefully more done in the ones you recommended. 🙂
Is there a text link? Feel free to add product links. Makes it easy and appreciated.
Hi Tim,
I have tried 4stigma lions main coffee/tea products and it doesnt seem to have any impact on my cognitive function whatsoever and on top of that I seem to get a little feverish when I take that drink. While I would assume the drug effects different ppl differently I wouldnt think that it could totally have zero impact on a person if others are claiming its so powerful. Just wanted to know your thoughts on it and possible issues that could cause the drug to have no impact. Thanks.
Agreed on the Lion’s Mane coffee. No noticeable effect, not even a caffeine boost.
I’ve had a similar experience with what is touted to be one of the more potent nootropics, phenylpiracetam. It does not effect me at all even at higher than recommended doses. I think there are two things at play. One is the reality that with many drugs there are non-responders. The other is the possibility that the placebo effect plays a huge role in perceiving any effect. I have also tried yerba mate and perceive no effects, although I enjoy it as a ritual and like the taste. Caffeine does’t touch me either, in spite of what my genetics say. Maybe some people are sensitive to subtle effects, but for me I’m not convinced anything is happening unless the difference is night and day.
I bought the Lions Mane and Chaga coffee and had the exact same experience…. nothing, nada, zero effect. How can this be the experience with a product guaranteed to “light you up like a Christmas tree”??? Hopefully, the discount code “TIM” that exists on the website for this product does not indicate cash kickbacks to the promoter of this video tainted his recommendation….. 🙁
Hi,
Thank you for the feedback and sorry to hear that you didn’t like this product. We are happy to issue a full refund. Just contact us at support@foursigmatic.com, include your order number and refer to this conversation.
We acknowledge that not every product is for everyone, but it’s still a bummer you didn’t feel the benefits. Some people are more sensitive to the benefits and feel it immediately, whereas others take several weeks to feel them. This can also depend on the person’s daily caffeine consumption. Those who normally consume hundreds of milligrams of caffeine per day, may not have the kick immediately from the Mushroom Coffee.
It’s good to understand that this is a real food what we’re talking about and not Modafinil/Provigil or Amphetamine/Adderall type of a smart drug.
We still hope that you will keep exploring different types of medicinal mushrooms, since there’s so much more to discover than just a cup of Mushroom Coffee. If you need any guidance, you can watch educational videos on Mushroom Academy (www.foursigmatic.com/academy) or just contact us directly at support@foursigmatic.com.
Fungally yours,
Tero, Founder of Four Sigmatic
Hey Tim!
Awesome video. Im just curious about those long term effects you talk about at the start of the video. I know for example that you have endorsed Onnit products in the past. I use Alpha Brain on a semi-regular basis.. What’s your current opinion on Onnit products? And are you aware of any long term effects?
Thanks again for the great content, as always!
The foursigmatic mushroom coffee is very nice! I discovered it from Tim. I like it best as a cold water espresso style ‘shot’. Similar to coffee type stimulant for me not the ‘on fire’ experience that Tim is getting but he seems to be very sensitive to coffees/teas – the bedtime tea hitting him like qualudes et cetera. But yeah nice clean focused energy
Did you ever get into that tea your Navy Seal guest was into, a raspbery-white?
I’m curious what you think about Cerebrolysin?
http://www.metabolicalchemy.com/cerebrolysin-cortexin-update/
http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/70428-cerebrolysin-experiences-compilation/
Also, what do you think of Lostfalco’s TULIP protocol?
http://www.lostfalco.com/low-level-laser-therapy/
Really interesting, Tim, thank you for sharing !
I approuve the idea that for 90% of the options, the short-term benefits are not worth the long-term side-effects (other option, sometimes: this is crap and there is no real short-term benefit… nor any effect).
It is worth noting that it is mandatory to “cycle off” at least one week (I bet two should be better) out of every eight weeks… This is true for nootropics like for any other supplement.
Thanks for the video! I also use Cruz de Malta because it’s not super strong and still has a great flavour. From Jesper I’ve tried red and green tea and I liked them. Btw, great pronunciation of “bombilla” in argentinian way! 😉
All great recommendations. The thing I am most curious about is the ketones. Is there any point or benefit to taking ketones when not in ketosis or wanting to be in ketosis?
Tim, have you tried guayusa tea!?? Related to yerba but tannin-free for a much smoother taste. It contains caffeine to energize but is also high in substances like L-theanine that calm the nervous system at the same time. Even though it contains caffeine, I actually have guayusa when I have the coffee-induced jitters/anxiety and it completely calms down my system. It is my go-to “smart drug” and performance fuel for distance running; it gives an energy similar to mushroom coffee…. sustained, smooth and without the jitters. Check out RUNA! Cheers!
Same here. I find that guayusa prevents and calms down coffee jitters and is way more energizing for me than even Bulletproof coffee. I’m astonished that I haven’t seen any of the gurus even discussing it as guayusa is a way more effective nootropic for me than coffee, yerba mate, or anything else I’ve tried, and I’ve tried a lot. Another unusual thing about it is that it starts helping to improve energy, clarity and relaxation instantly upon drinking it, which makes no sense to me, but happens every time. While I don’t know how that’s possible, I’m quite thankful for it.
Hey Tim, have you tried intranasal insulin? It’s been shown to improve mood, memory, and brain energy levels without affecting blood glucose or insulin levels. It’s taking over the nootropics world right now! [Moderator: link removed]
Does this mean you don’t approve of Onnit’s Alphabrain products?
For someone not in ketosis but following a generally LCHF approach, what are the benefits and prescribed use directions for ketocana?
Thank you Tim for mentioning Anna Park yerba mate…the gourmet yerba mate, certified organic and fair trade. 🙂
Many thanks for this,recognize some of it from the Dom interview. You might also want to look at The Better Brain book by neurologist David Perlmutter for baselining and preventing/improving age-related nutrient deficiencies/cognitive degradation–including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Come to think of it, he might make a good podcast guest…
Vamos Tim Carajo! Great choice with Yerba Mate. My weapon of choice 😉
can you please post the link for the products? I can’t understand mostly of the names and i haven’t find it on internet
How do I get my hands on 1 3-butanediol & NaK BHB salts?? I would really love to set my brain on fire with this stuff. SHOW NOTES TIMMY!! Thanks brother.
I did not quite catch the second supplement with the Lions Mane. Could that be somehow listed please?
Hi Tim,
I am curious if you believe that any of the benefits you receive from consuming items like this are related to the placebo effect, and if you have ever tried to sort that out with any of these particular substances?
Love your work.
Peace
Nice Post Tim! Very cristal and clear. Thanks
Hi Tim, thanks so much for your inspiring work! What doseage do you take of creatine and ubiquinol? Cheers, B
Hi! Can you list down all the smart drugs mentioned?
Thank you.This further simplified some of the information presented in the podcasts you did with Dom D’Agostino. I never understood the difference between the Ketocana and Keto Force. This made it so clear. So much appreciated!
Is there a text link to buy the products mentioned in this video?
Ketones – yes. And like all the great trues the opposite is also true. Studies show that brain function can be improved by eating small doses of sugar to fuel intense brain function. There is an SAT Prepatory company that suggest students take Lemonhead candy with them to the test. Eating one piece (~1 gram of sugar) every 20 minutes improves SAT scores. There was research in Japan in which students were given a series of typing tests. During the tests different aromas were added to room air. With a lemon aroma the error rate was significantly reduced.
Great, bite size video full of sage advice
Great stuff Tim! I always enjoy these quick videos you do on focused topics.
Hello Tim,
I just passed a 3 1/2 hour exam plus with a verbzl exam to boot today.
I was always the type of guy who would “chase cars” and get off the tracks. Not good at all.
As listener for a year now, I looked at you suggestions of smart drugs to give me a good lively boot in the arse.
I purchased 4sigmatic lion’s mane mushroom coffee snd sank some money for a small pack.
Man, you weren’t kidding when you said you were on fire. I was very pleased with the results. Instead of a loose canon, I am a 50. Cal sniper rifle. Amazing stuff.
I wanted to thank you for making real recommendations because I got coned often with promises of results and I hated myself for not getting ahead. Today, I completed my exams and kicked the ba-jesus out of it.
No really, thank you.
Can you post show notes for the “Smart Drugs” segment? I would like to get the spelling right for your suggestions.
Cheers!
Jack
The podcasts are nice, but I’ve missed your blog posts. Very happy you posted this.
Thank you for sharing. I just bought the lion’s mane mushroom coffee with the code. I do want to light up like Christmas tree some days. I am very sensitive to caffeine too. But I need something quick at 5.30am that is strong enough to activate me but won’t kill my iron levels. It looks like this coffee will do the job. I hope so. Half of the week I drink my home made iced peach oolong tea or citrus green tea with fresh lemon juice first thing in the morning. I make it the night before. It is ready to go in the morning. Then if I still want coffee at noon, I cheat myself with instant decaf.
I typed Ibukonol in google search and it gave me ubiquinol. 😛 If anyone thinking about taking them, they say “it is important to take them with a fatty meal or in a formula that contains fats”
You did such a great job with Molly. Some dogs look miserable doing tricks, but Molly loves doing them. She is like “Come on! Show me the treat, I will do tricks for you. I swear!” What a sweetheart.
Best x
Tim – thanks for the great video! Can you add the list of your favorite smart drug under your video (with doses / links if possible).
Thanks!
Having difficulty locating all the smart drugs mentioned do you have this video in written form so I can get correct spelling of smart drugs …or does someone have the list? Thanks
Hi Tim, I enjoy a caffeine high but have mild chrons so coffee hits my stomach hard can you recommend any alternative that will help my state but not affect my stomach
Thanks Ian
thanks for this Tim. okay fair enough you want to enhance your performance sometimes. I am just concerned by the concept of squeezing extra mileage out of the brain by using chemicals, like hyperclocking the CPU in our computer, and the fact they you say everyone always ask you how to do the same. The quick fix is the road to peril
you write:
‘for most of them the short term benefits are not worth the long term side effects’
this implies a kind of split or dissonance – as if one hand there are benefits, but long term, there is harm, implying short term everything is okay.
What about short term harm?
Harm can be caused in all kinds of ways, just from one dose of something. Just because you can’t see it, or can’t notice it, and just because science doesn’t recognise or detect something, doesn’t mean harm is not occurring. There is SO much more than the physical level of existence, and so much that our awareness has not expanded to include. Short term use of certain drugs can really really stuff you up and you’d have no idea, in fact you’d say everything is fine. we are a a complex blend of energies comprising our conciousness. The experiences in our life are a manifestation of the energies inside us. They are quantifiable and can be depleted. A relationship/creativity/work/health/money problem in the present time can be the result of many life energy destroying decisions in the past, that may not seem to have anything to do with the present crisis.
Newtons and Descartes time is over, dead ,done. We need to wake up and realise we are more than just a physical layer in a physical world, cause effect, cause effect. Bones, skin, neurons, kilojoules.
if you didn’t stuff your self with sugar once a week or have ice cream eating competitions, it’s quite possibly the lyme disease wouldn’t have taken a grip on you. Just because you can ‘recover’ from one day of binge eating, a recovery that is according to your levels of self awareness, doesn’t mean you are not setting yourself up for really serious long term damage – just from that one occasion.
You are writing from the country that approved aspartame/nutrasweet and it’s modern versions like Acesulfame K – widely considered to be the most toxic substances ever consumed en masse in the name of food,by humans in the history of the human race. And getting reliable information about how toxic it is is not straightforward because of all the propoganda about how safe it is – plenty of people still swear it’s fine. So, how on earth can we feel comfortable with going anywhere near all these newly introduced substances, fringe nootropics, who can say they have any validity or safety margin at all? Okay, fine I appreciate you are not recommending them either (And you have written elsewhere about this including in the bonus section for the four hour body)
Thing is, if you cheat – you still have to pay. ‘Robbing peter to pay paul’ Our bodies are not machines, And that short term elevation or hyper drive can chew up a great deal of life energy and creativity and other life forces that could be shaping a higher quality future.
interesting points. Well said. It’s worth commenting overall, that your countries FDA is the only thing that stands between you and consuming poison. That, and your awareness, that is. But this is the FDA that allowed genetically modified foods and substances to infiltrate the entire food chain. This is the same FDA that allowed aspartame to saturate the food supply. this the FDA that prevents adequate labelling and information advising people whether or not they are consuming GM substances or aspartame, and how absolutely dangerous and diabolical they are.
The FDA is utterly corrupt and spiritually bankrupt.
So, while you consume your synthetic ketone or other smart drug, how do you know it’s not giving you brain damage? Or setting you up for
parkinsons, or MS or chronic fatigue or suicidal depression or bone cancer or…something else. It doesn’t have to take 2 years of regular dosing get serious side effects. The seeds can be planted fairly quickly.
Just because it feels good, just because you ‘believe’ you don’t have any side effects. Doesn’t mean shit. It’s like saying, just because you don’t ‘feel” hungover after a big night, means you don’t have any alcohol in your blood. As said above, you can’t cheat. You can’t create miracles out of thin air and hyper crank your brain without adverse effects. No more than you can survive on 2 hours sleep night after night. You might ”think” you feel fine, and feel productive. But eventually you have to pay, and pay hard.
Stay away from this stuff ( and as an unrelated side note, respectfully, be wary about trusting Tim anytime he wholly endorses anything Tim has a financial interest in.)
Hey Tim, great video! I was wondering, what doses do you use for creatine and ubiquinol? Thanks!
Did Tim every reply to this? Curious on the dosage as well.
Great video Tim! more of these would be much appreciated!
Tim, when I take things like Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee or even regular caffeinated coffee, I don’t really feel much. No change in energy or focus. Could that be a sign of anything such as an issue with processing certain nutrients or something going on with digestion or does it just not affect certain people? I feel like there are other foods that have the same less-than-average effect on me and it just has me wondering if there could be something going on. So I’d love to get your thoughts! Thank you.
Hi,
Thank you for the feedback and sorry to hear that you didn’t like this product. We are happy to issue a full refund. Just contact us at support@foursigmatic.com, include your order number and refer to this conversation.
We acknowledge that not every product is for everyone, but it’s still a bummer you didn’t feel the benefits. Some people are more sensitive to the benefits and feel it immediately, whereas others take several weeks to feel them. This can also depend on the person’s daily caffeine consumption. Those who normally consume hundreds of milligrams of caffeine per day, may not have the kick immediately from the Mushroom Coffee.
It’s good to understand that this is a real food what we’re talking about and not Modafinil/Provigil or Amphetamine/Adderall type of a smart drug.
We still hope that you will keep exploring different types of medicinal mushrooms, since there’s so much more to discover than just a cup of Mushroom Coffee. If you need any guidance, you can watch educational videos on Mushroom Academy (www.foursigmatic.com/academy) or just contact us directly at support@foursigmatic.com.
Fungally yours,
Tero, Founder of Four Sigmatic
Thanks. I never said I didn’t like it, though. Just not feeling the effects I expected and was wondering why. Thanks for the explanation that it may take some time. Would I be able to exchange a box for the cordycops box? Maybe that one will have more of an effect
Sure! Happy to do so. Just contact us at support@foursigmatic.com.
Some people asked for a written list of the products.
Here are my very sloppy notes, please feel free to comment or correct…
Creatine plus ubiquinol
Esp if alzheimer in family
Lions mane inchaga plus instant coffee
Start with half a dose, lights you like a christmas tree
Also tea which is decaf
Yerba mate
Cruz de malta brand inexpensive
How you consume sth is very impt
So for yerba mate best is traditional way
Gord packed full of leaves
Use bombilla and sip tiny amounts within a few hours
Exogenous ketones
Ketocana
Tastes like lemonade
Palatable
Ketoforce
Very alkaline
Add lemon juice to counteract that
Ok taste and strong effects
Gluco strip in device for blood test
Ketone strip as well
I didn’t understand any of this… Anybody did??
Ketogenic diet
Keto whatever also good if not on a ketosis diet
What are your thoughts on the lyme bugs using fats to create biofilms and burry themselves deeper? I can’t seem to find much information on this but have come across some articles linking to this occurring.
Tim, what’s your experience with adderall like (assuming you’ve experimented)? For me it’s been amazingly transformative in terms of motivation,confidence/social anxiety, and productivity. Of course amphetamines are not without side effects, but for me those have been relativly minor and easy to manage … something something “no free lunch”.
What brand of creative and ubiquinol do you use?
Thanks!
Amanda
Looks like All American EFX Sports kre-alkalyn creatine capsules and Solgar ubiquinol.
Fantastic info. What can I do to help me stay awake; I’m a truck driver. Thanks.
where is the adderall?
I bought the Four Sigmatic coffee after hearing about it on your podcast. It tastes like mushroom mr noodle broth and is basically instant coffee. For someone that drinks Kona Coffee daily, this tasts Nothing like coffee. It would be better if they sold a broth I could cook noodles in, so The taste would make sense. I do not know if it works or not because I haven’t drank enough. cough cough Now I know why Tim only made it through half a packet.
wondering what you think of nootropic alpha-brain ?
Hi Tim,
Curious whether you take creatine (combined with Q10/ubiquinol), even when NOT exercising. And what the dosage is.
Hey Tim, would you recommend taking modafinil for an 18-year-old college student? I would appreciate your input. Thanks!
Tim thanks so much for the video. I’ll be looking in to everything here. I’ve been on the Ketogenic diet for a few weeks and am AMAZED at how different and better I feel cognitively.
[Moderator: additional text and link removed.]
I was reading a blog on [Moderator: link removed.] about motivation and they suggested that nootropics can boost motivation with no side effects. What do you think of it?
Nice to hear mention of phosphatidylserine — it’s very important, and very overlooked. It’s a tongue-twister to pronounce, so most people simply refer to it as PS.
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid — a type of substance that is a major component of a cell’s membrane. Membranes keep cells intact, but they also drive the functions in all living things, including in every human cell. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is crucial for the cell membrane to function properly, but it is especially vital in brain cell membranes.
PS plays a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters — chemical messengers released by neurons (nerve, or brain, cells). PS is key in supporting the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the body, and is the neurotransmitter largely responsible for memory. Increased levels of acetylcholine help to enhance memory, and may help in other areas of brain function, including functioning with greater accuracy, enhancing recall, mental sharpness and improved learning. Research also shows that PS helps with symptoms of cognitive decline.
This Brighter Health article goes in to more detail about PS: [Moderator: link removed.]
What’s the dosage for daily creatine/ubiquinol?
I really enjoy this quality of information because many people are not really informed about this benefits from the nature!
I love yerba mate more and more every day…it’s a nice alternative…or adjunct…to coffee.